Finding Description
Based on observations, record review, and interviews, during the recertification survey initiated on 9/11/2024 and completed on 9/18/2024, the facility did not ensure that food was stored in accordance with professional standards for food service safety. This was identified during the Kitchen Task. Specifically, expired and opened containers of food were observed in the refrigerator; The freezer was observed with frozen food products out of their original packaging with no label or date. Additionally, stored dry goods were unlabeled and undated in the basement dry storage area.
The finding is:
An undated facility policy titled Food Storage documented foods received shall be properly stored to maintain high quality and sanitary conditions. Items may be utilized until the date of expiration, based on the production date and item shelf life. Dry bulk foods such as flour, rice, or pasta, once opened, shall be stored in a plastic container with a cover. All items should be dated and labeled. All goods will be rotated properly using the first in, first out method.
A kitchen tour was conducted with the Food Service Director on 9/11/2024 at 10:15 AM. The refrigerator section of the combination walk-in refrigerator/freezer was observed with three expired, open containers of cottage cheese. Two containers were observed with an expiration date of 8/19/2024 and one container with an expiration date of 8/12/2024. The freezer section of the combination walk-in refrigerator/freezer was observed with three packages of French toast sticks which were out of the original packaging and had no label or date. Additionally, six bags of frozen broccoli that were out of the original packaging were observed without a date.
The basement dry storage area and a basement walk-in combination refrigerator/freezer were observed with the Food Service Director on 9/11/2024 at 10:29 AM. In the dry storage area, six bags of cake mix were observed that were removed from their original packaging and had no date. In the refrigerator section of the walk-in combination refrigerator/freezer, there were unlabeled and undated packages of chicken, three bags of shredded pizza cheese, and five bags of shredded cheddar cheese. In the freezer section of the walk-in refrigerator/freezer, there was an open bag of pancakes and an unidentified bag of food without a label and date.
The Food Service Director was interviewed on 9/18/2024 at 10:50 AM and stated that the containers of expired cottage cheese were left in the refrigerator because the dietary aides did not rotate or take out the old containers. The Food Service Director stated that the dietary aides and the cooks should read the expiration dates and discard the outdated items. The Food Service Director stated the person who placed the chicken in the basement refrigerator/freezer should have labeled and dated the packages or the tray they were stored on. The Food Service Director stated the dietary aide assigned to the storeroom or any person who takes something out of the original packaging is responsible for labeling and dating the food items. The Food Service Director stated it is important for food items to be labeled and dated so that kitchen staff know what the food item is and when to prepare the food item. The Food Service Director stated food should not be left open in the freezer because the food item can get freezer burn if not properly stored. The Food Service Director stated it is important to check the expiration dates of food to ensure that the food is not spoiled.
10 NYCRR 415.14(h)
The finding is:
An undated facility policy titled Food Storage documented foods received shall be properly stored to maintain high quality and sanitary conditions. Items may be utilized until the date of expiration, based on the production date and item shelf life. Dry bulk foods such as flour, rice, or pasta, once opened, shall be stored in a plastic container with a cover. All items should be dated and labeled. All goods will be rotated properly using the first in, first out method.
A kitchen tour was conducted with the Food Service Director on 9/11/2024 at 10:15 AM. The refrigerator section of the combination walk-in refrigerator/freezer was observed with three expired, open containers of cottage cheese. Two containers were observed with an expiration date of 8/19/2024 and one container with an expiration date of 8/12/2024. The freezer section of the combination walk-in refrigerator/freezer was observed with three packages of French toast sticks which were out of the original packaging and had no label or date. Additionally, six bags of frozen broccoli that were out of the original packaging were observed without a date.
The basement dry storage area and a basement walk-in combination refrigerator/freezer were observed with the Food Service Director on 9/11/2024 at 10:29 AM. In the dry storage area, six bags of cake mix were observed that were removed from their original packaging and had no date. In the refrigerator section of the walk-in combination refrigerator/freezer, there were unlabeled and undated packages of chicken, three bags of shredded pizza cheese, and five bags of shredded cheddar cheese. In the freezer section of the walk-in refrigerator/freezer, there was an open bag of pancakes and an unidentified bag of food without a label and date.
The Food Service Director was interviewed on 9/18/2024 at 10:50 AM and stated that the containers of expired cottage cheese were left in the refrigerator because the dietary aides did not rotate or take out the old containers. The Food Service Director stated that the dietary aides and the cooks should read the expiration dates and discard the outdated items. The Food Service Director stated the person who placed the chicken in the basement refrigerator/freezer should have labeled and dated the packages or the tray they were stored on. The Food Service Director stated the dietary aide assigned to the storeroom or any person who takes something out of the original packaging is responsible for labeling and dating the food items. The Food Service Director stated it is important for food items to be labeled and dated so that kitchen staff know what the food item is and when to prepare the food item. The Food Service Director stated food should not be left open in the freezer because the food item can get freezer burn if not properly stored. The Food Service Director stated it is important to check the expiration dates of food to ensure that the food is not spoiled.
10 NYCRR 415.14(h)